Janin Lou C. Billano, MD, DPBO

Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), Davao City— Constituents of Davao City and neighboring provinces who are candidates for corneal cross-linking procedure need not travel to Luzon or Visayas anymore.

Corneal collagen cross-linking is a quick, and minimally invasive procedure employed to strengthen the cornea that involves the use of Ultraviolet A (UVA) and riboflavin. It is used to prevent the progression of some corneal disorders including keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia.

SPMC Chief of Clinics, Dr. Fitzgerald Arancel, acting as the representative of the SPMC Executive Committee, on Thursday, October 10 2024, led the launching of the corneal cross-linking machine at the Ambulatory Surgery unit of the said hospital. He was joined by the SPMC Chaplain Fr. Primitivo Guinit, MI, SPMC Ophthalmology Training Officer Dr. Ryan Torres, consultants, residents, nurses, and allied medical staff during the ceremonies.

External disease and cornea specialist, Dr. Billie Jean Cordero, performed the first corneal cross-linking procedure the next day, October 11 2024, on a patient with Keratoconus. “A lot of our patients who require these kinds of procedures spend a significant amount not just for the treatment itself but also for the travel and lodging expenses when they go to Luzon or Visayas. Worse, some might even forego the procedure because of the financial and logistical requirements. By bringing this treatment to our institution, we are making this accessible and affordable to all our constituents”, said Dr. Cordero.

SPMC Department of Ophthalmology has been at the forefront of ophthalmologic care in Mindanao and serves as an end-referral center in the region.